How to fix a small cracked pipe
- Thread starter dunidake
- Start date
The correct way fix the situation would be to replace the fitting completely. This is the only way to insure in the future that it won’t leak.
As per @AQUA~HOLICS but I can't tell for sure what you have there. If it's a threaded bushing just change it .
It is solvent welded into the tee. You will need to cut the tee out and replace it. It is a fitting x female bushing. Probably 2" fitting x 1/2" female.
I put mine there to prime the pump.
This piece of plumbing fitting is installed so the plumber can pressurize the system to check for any water leaks after the construction of the manifold and is checked by the city inspector prior to allowing the go ahead for Shotcrete.
You may need the pump union too. Try to get a solid bushing where the thread is not like the one pictured with very little meat on the thread and hollow behind. Too much Teflon could have done you in there expanding the pvc with a thin treaded wall.
- May 23, 2015
- 24,529
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
If you do replace the whole T fitting I wouldn’t put a valve there. They are not useful and prone to developing leaks. You can’t drain a pool using the pool’s pump anyway because, as soon as you drop below the skimmer(s), there is a very good chance the suction line will lose prime and you’ll run the pump dry. The diverter valve in the skimmer isn’t really capable of holding a tight air/water seal so it’s just not practical and even if you can isolate the main drain line as the only suction source, it’s very likely the pump strainer basket will run too low due to the high lift needed. It’s just not useful.
When you need to drain a pool, you use an external submersible pump.
When you need to drain a pool, you use an external submersible pump.
Thanks for the info.
Our outdoor spa had one at shin height. It is gone after I banged my shin repeatedly.
Our outdoor spa had one at shin height. It is gone after I banged my shin repeatedly.
If you need a quick fix, you can unscrew the hose bib/spigot and screw in a 3/4" PVC pipe plug using some glue.
Let the glue set overnight.
You should still replace the part, but the glued in plug can fix it temporarily so that you can operate.
Remove all Teflon tape from the threads.
Coat the plug threads with glue and screw it in hand tight/snug, but not enough to open the crack.
Don't use a wrench.
Let the glue set overnight.
You should still replace the part, but the glued in plug can fix it temporarily so that you can operate.
Remove all Teflon tape from the threads.
Coat the plug threads with glue and screw it in hand tight/snug, but not enough to open the crack.
Don't use a wrench.
When I first read the title, I thought that it said "How to fix a small crack pipe", which is an odd thing to ask on a pool forum.
We have used it to drain some water out after a heavy rain. It’s been useful for that. But if it’s going to leak again, we prefer to just cap it.
- May 23, 2015
- 24,529
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
We have used it to drain some water out after a heavy rain. It’s been useful for that. But if it’s going to leak again, we prefer to just cap it.
I did that once or twice too in the beginning and then just found it easier to toss in a submersible pump and redirect the water anywhere I wanted (the pool equipment pad isn’t in the most convenient location). It also avoids the hazard of accidentally losing prime and I can power the sub-pump on a switched outdoor outlet controlled from inside the house rather than trudging out to the pad to turn a valve. Submersible pumps are cheap and good to have around the home for general purpose water moving needs. I once saved my neighbors garage at midnight a few years back when we had an intense microburst storm hit our area and his drainage ditch was filling up fast. I ran over with my sub pump and we were able to move the water elsewhere before it spilled over into his garage. After that, he went on Amazon and bought his own. Lots of uses for them …